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SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP
Week of August 8, 2024                                                        PRAYER LIST 

Sunday, August 11: The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 a.m.    Nursery Opens
10:30 a.m.    Holy Eucharist: BULLETIN

Livestreamed services can be found on the on the Christ Church YouTube channel


MESSAGE FROM THE REV. MAX MAXWELL

I hope everyone got through ‘Debby’ without mishap. On Wilmington Island, where we live, there was lots and lots of rain but no serious damage as far as I know. Although I do hear a pump running non-stop at the house behind us and I fear our neighbor’s swimming pool overflowed. Nevertheless, given the end-of-the-world predictions I was hearing, the storm wasn’t nearly as bad as I feared it would be.

And this has led me to think about predictions in general. Weather predictions often seem to be apocalyptic, which I should probably try to remember the next time a big storm is headed our way. But there are lots of other predictions we hear and talk about and sometimes rely on. I’ve been hearing lots of commentary about who might or might not win a medal in the Olympics. And, given the political season, there’s lots of predicting going on in that arena, as well.

But why do we so enjoy predictions? I’m no expert and I haven’t deeply considered this question, but my gut tells me that we don’t like uncertainty and would like to know—and perhaps even control—what the future holds. Even though when we’re reminded that we can’t know for certain what will happen next week, or tomorrow, or even in the next few minutes and we agree intellectually, we don’t live our lives that way. We plan and prepare for our futures, trying to control them. We make lots of predictions.

Yet Scripture reminds us that our only certainty is God. I read several psalms as I prepared for Debby (there are lots of storms in the psalms), and psalm 29 stuck to me. A great storm is raging through the land “and in the temple of the Lord all are crying, “Glory!” The cedars of Lebanon are being broken and the forests stripped bare, yet the people are praising the glory of God.

Of course, we must plan and prepare for the future, after all, prudence is one of the cardinal virtues. Yet it’s good to remember, as best and as often we can, that our one true hope and certainty lies in God through Jesus Christ our Lord. After the storm has done its worst, Psalm 29 ends with this: “The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.”


CONNECTION

Information Session for Faith-Based Dementia Respite Program

Sunday, August 11, 12:00–12:30 p.m.
Green-Meldrim House, 14 West Macon St.

With the support of Bishop Logue, the St. John's Outreach Committee is building a faith-based, intercongregational dementia respite ministry. For four hours a day, participants will join with trained volunteers for a day full of games, music, art, exercise, shared meals, and service projects. The program will be housed at St. John's Episcopal Church, but it will be an intercongregational endeavor. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, all are invited to an information session on Sunday, August 11 from 12–12:30 at the Green-Meldrim house on St. John's campus. Children are invited to games and lunch at Cranmer Hall during the program. Click here to RSVP, or call the St. John's Church office at 912-232-1251. Please RSVP to svanderlip@stjohnssav.org if you have children wishing to attend.


Savannah VOICE Festival Concert Collaboration

Sunday, August 11, 5:00 p.m.

On Sunday at 5 p.m., the choirs of Christ Church and First Baptist will join forces with singers from the Savannah VOICE Festival to perform a concert here at Christ Church as part of the 2024 Festival. The concert, titled Sanctuary, features opera scenes and arias that take place in churches—usually with very "worldly" topics! Tickets can be purchased through the VOICE Festival's website.


In the Spirit: Monday, August 12 at the Sandfly 5-Spot

Second and Fourth Mondays, 5:30 p.m.

"In the Spirit" is a discussion group for those who seek to deepen their faith through meaningful conversations. Join us this Monday at The 5-Spot in Sandfly (7360 Skidaway Rd), where you can grab a drink or a bite as we spend time together. We'll gather at 5:30 p.m. and begin our discussion at 6:00.

This week's topic: Is the Bread of Life Gluten-Free?

The short answer (at Christ Church, at least) is, yes, if you need it to be! (Gluten-free wafers are available upon request.) Other churches disagree. It could be argued that at its best, Christian worship is inclusive and accessible to folks with a variety of needs and backgrounds, while still achieving a sense of unity and shared experience. Sometimes that’s a tricky needle to thread. What parts of our worship can change and which parts should stay the same? Where does “welcome” meet its limit?

Questions to Ponder:
  • What parts of our Sunday morning worship experience do you think are the most welcoming?
  • What parts of our Sunday worship do you think can be a hindrance to others (physically or otherwise)?
  • Do you think “discomfort” and “welcome” can coexist? Are there parts of worship that make you uncomfortable, but you’re still glad for them?
  • What changes do you think could make church a more welcoming environment? What parts do you think should never change?

If you have questions or would like to receive emails about upcoming In the Spirit topics, please contact the Rev. Samantha McKean.


Back-to-School Blessing

Sunday, August 18, 10:30 a.m.

Calling all students and teachers! At our 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, August 18 we will have our annual Back-to-School Blessing with prayers for all in our school communities for the coming year.

Pool Party for Christ Church Kids

Sunday, August 18, 4:30–6:30 p.m.

RSVP for Neighborhood Parties


A party is coming to your neighborhood! On Sunday, September 15, neighborhood parties will be held wherever Christ Church members are found. These casual gatherings are a great way to connect with your literal Christ Church "neighbors" in a fun and relaxed setting. No need to bring anything but a smile! To RSVP to your neighborhood party, please visit the Christ Church website.

Can You Sew a Straight Line?


If so, there's an opportunity for you to help with this year's Christmas Pageant! Christ Church has a wonderful cache of costumes, the hems and sleeves of which are altered each year to fit the child wearing them. The work is easy and fun, and the results are adorable. Whether you consider yourself a seamstress, tailor, milliner, or you just hemmed some curtains one time, your help would be an helpful addition to the wonder of Christmas. Please contact Katie Griffith if you are interested.

Donating Flowers for the Altar


Ever wondered how to donate altar flowers for Sunday worship? The flower guild manages these requests, and is glad to hear from you! Flowers can be given in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one, with a suggested donation of $100. If you would like to donate flowers, contact Catherine Gussler at cmgussler@gmail.com or 912-222-0888.


Christ Church Choristers

This coming fall, Christ Church will start a new chorister program for all children and youth in 3rd through 12th grades. Through this program, young singers will learn musicianship, leadership, music theory and history, as well as the Episcopal liturgy and theology that we practice every Sunday. The program is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music in America, which shares our Christ Church belief that children are not the church leaders of the future; they are the church leaders of the present. For more information or to sign up, please contact Director of Music George Fergus.

Go Red Team!


These hard-working acolytes got to church bright and early last Sunday for a training session! Pictured here is the Red Team, one of this year's six acolyte teams (each one is named for a different liturgical color). Co-captains Mimi and Reese lead the Red Team, which includes three brand new acolytes: Wolf, Owen, and Davis.

Save the Date

  • September 4, Wednesday Noon Service resumes
  • September 8, Interim Rector Canon Cathy Zappa's first Sunday
  • September 8, Adult Forum at 9:30 a.m. resumes
  • September 8, Concert Series: George Fergus, organ
  • September 15, Neighborhood Parties

Next Week at Christ Church


Sunday, August 11: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
     10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
     12:00 p.m. Info Session for Dementia Respite Program, Green-Meldrim House
      5:00 p.m. Savannah VOICE Festival Concert Collaboration

Monday through Friday, August 12–16
     10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Docent Tours

Monday, August 12
     5:30 p.m. In the Spirit. Is the Bread of Life Gluten Free?
 

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK







Thanks to Mills Fleming for the photographs.
Centered in Worship
All are Welcome
Joyful Living

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We invite you to worship with us at Historic Christ Church.
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Church Location: Johnson Square | 28 Bull Street
Our mailing address is:
28 Bull Street
Savannah, GA 31401

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